Frequently Asked Questions -

• Who were the Moores?
• How do you get around in Portugal?
• Where should I visit in Portugal?
• Who will take care of our property, when we are not in residence?
• Is it a good idea to rent a property out, when we do not occupy it ourselves?
• Are off-shore properties OK to buy or should we avoid these properties?
• Which extra purchase-costs should I consider, buying a property in Portugal?
• How stable are the price-levels in Algarve on property?
• How good is the quality of construction here in Portugal?
• Is there a lot of criminality here in Algarve?
• Our children need to attend an International school. Where would it be good to live?
• We have a boat and would like to make use of a marina. Where do we find a good marina?
• What is the general procedure in buying a property in Portugal?
• Is it difficult to find a good lawyer, who can speak our language?

Question:
Where should I visit in Portugal?

Answer:
Portugal is a very small country, however there is a lot to see here and depending on your tastes are. This is a list of what I feel is important based upon my own tastes.

A. Sintra. This was the summer retreat of the Portuguese crown. Located about 30 minutes by train from Lisbon, I found this was the most appealing site in Portugal. The town itself is a romantic; fairy tail town that has a relaxed feel that echoes the personality of the Portuguese. There are medieval style houses and lots of shopping. Being the retreat of the Portuguese crown, there are two magnificent palaces that are frozen in time and are an interesting glimpse of how a select few lived. Furthermore, the best feature is a ruined Moorish castle located in the middle of an enchanted forest. The only drawback of the city is a fair amount of hiking is required to make the town really worthwhile.

B. Lisbon. The capital of Portugal. This town is a mixture of old and new. Broken down into easily to navigate barrios (neighborhoods) this town is the pulse of modern Portugal as well as a constant reminder of it’s past. To learn about the people, and history of Portugal, you have to see this city. (Note that Belem is located in Lisbon, but I have it listed separate in my photo galleries.

D. Oporto. Home of Port, this is a nice town to visit in the northern part of the country.

These are all of the ones that I feel convertible recommending because they are places I have either been or heard a lot about. A guidebook can give you more information about the north.